Is the Rebel SL1 a decent body?

I've taken a long break from photography, and I'm trying to get back into it fairly inexpensively. I still have my original Digital Rebel (300D), but I've outgrown it. It still works perfectly as designed, but I'd like to get something a little newer with a better image processor, etc.

Money is a bit tight right now, so I'm wondering if the SL1 is a decent body. So far as I can tell, it's a massive step up from the 300D, but I want to know what you all think of it.

Thanks in advance!

Heya,

It's a great little dSLR for the cost, when you could get it back at release in the mid $350's.

Though for $400 used, $500ish new, you could look at the T5i or 60D instead.

Depends on your overall budget and what you hope to achieve.

Very best,

If you like a smaller body, the SL1 is great. For the money, I'd go with a used/refurbished 60D. But that is a lot bigger.

The SL1 is going to give you better higher ISO (surprisingly good 6400). It is ridiculously light weight. Although it is comfortable, it isn't as comfortable to hand hold for long periods of time as a camera with a more substantial grip obviously, but that is only an issue if you are indeed hand holding it. It will cut your weight noticeably which makes it more comfortable for long periods of time.The LVAF is the second best among Canon DSLRs.

Gentlemen. thank you for your input. I am looking for a backup and/or canon body for my wife. It looks like the SL1, if she likes it, would work for her, and be a second body for me.

I have an SL1 (100D here in the UK) which is a recent purchase, having been full frame (all 3 versions of 5D) for many years. I bought the small body as a backup, and for a hiking/travelling camera and used it at first with the 18-55 STM kit lens, with great results. I now use the 18-135 STM as this make an ideal lightweight travel kit. However I have also paired it with the 70-200/4 and 300/4 L lenses and it performs excellently for wildlife.

The OP would find it an easy transition from his 300D, with major benefits.

It is almost as small as a Panasonic G6, and far better in my experience. I have average sized hands and it is not too small. I wish I could have a full frame body this size! I still regularly use the 5D3 and bag full of lenses, but love to have a small excellent camera too.

I got an SL1 and Tamron 18-270mm PZD for my sister. She wanted a good camera that did not have shutter lag. She has no interest in changing lenses but did want the focal range covered by the 18-270mm lens.

We took it to the Kentucky Derby where a quick change in focal length is extremely useful. I can't say enough good things about the combination. Very good images at ISO 6400 was a pleasant surprise. The only regret: not getting one for me.

the 300d is a full size body -- about the size of the original 5d, and the SL1 is the smallest DSLR made. I'd handle a SL1 before buying one.

I recently bought an SL1 for $400 and so far I really like it. I was afraid it would be too small and the controls would be too difficult to access. neither proved to be true.

I bought the SL1 as a back-up and a "teleconverter" in good light when I need more reach. I'm pleased with my purchase. I really like the shutter sound which is very quiet.

NASS Photo wrote in post #16914996
Gentlemen. thank you for your input. I am looking for a backup and/or canon body for my wife. It looks like the SL1, if she likes it, would work for her, and be a second body for me.

And chalk up another SL1 going to a wife/girlfriend....

Like most females, she will love it.

I have the SL1 as a backup and lightweight alternate to my 5D3.

I have tried most of the Rebels and have owned the 30D, 50D and 60D.

I have found the SL1 to be superior to all of the above referenced crop cameras.

Sure it lacks some pro feel qualities of the 60D but I have found the image quality of the SL1 to be better and I don't miss the size of the 60D.

My story and I'm sticking to it. It's a fine camera. Is it the 5D3 - hardly, but for its purposes - lightweight (with the 18-135STM), travel camera. It's wonderful.

MalVeauX wrote in post #16914611
Heya,

It's a great little dSLR for the cost, when you could get it back at release in the mid $350's.

Though for $400 used, $500ish new, you could look at the T5i or 60D instead.

Depends on your overall budget and what you hope to achieve.

Very best,

A few weeks back compared my 700D with a 100D (SL1) my friend had just bought. Quite a bit of difference in size.

By all accounts, the 100D produces the goods.

Craign wrote in post #16915859
I got an SL1 and Tamron 18-270mm PZD for my sister. She wanted a good camera that did not have shutter lag. She has no interest in changing lenses but did want the focal range covered by the 18-270mm lens.

We took it to the Kentucky Derby where a quick change in focal length is extremely useful. I can't say enough good things about the combination. Very good images at ISO 6400 was a pleasant surprise. The only regret: not getting one for me.

Sound like an interesting lens option for the SL1. It's about the same size as the 15-85 and only slightly larger than the 18-55 STM. Some thing I'm gonna consider.

http://camerasize.com …8.24,448.313,44​8.377,ha,t

I have the 1DMKIV which is a very large camera. I'm considering a small easy to carry camera. So far I'm looking into the SL1, Sony RX100III, Sony RX10 or the A6000.

Much to consider!

Perfectly Frank wrote in post #16916316
Sound like an interesting lens option for the SL1. It's about the same size as the 15-85 and only slightly larger than the 18-55 STM. Some thing I'm gonna consider.

http://camerasize.com …8.24,448.313,44​8.377,ha,t

I have the 1DMKIV which is a very large camera. I'm considering a small easy to carry camera. So far I'm looking into the SL1, Sony RX100III, Sony RX10 or the A6000.

Much to consider!

The SL1 and Tamron 18-270 looked like a toy beside my gripped 50D with a 24-105mm lens. The SL1 combination was a good match and didn't feel odd even in my large hands.

More info: I tested the 18-270 on the siding of the house next to mine. The small amount of distortion present at 18mm and 270mm was corrected with an adjustment of only "-1" in Lightroom. There was no distortion at 25 and 250mm.

I purchased 2 extra batteries expecting to need at least one extra during the 7 hours we would be at the Derby. Amazingly, the OEM battery lasted all day - no movies or flash used during the day.

Craign wrote in post #16916371
The SL1 and Tamron 18-270 looked like toy beside my gripped 50D with a 24-105mm lens. The SL1 combination was a good match and didn't feel odd even in my large hands.

More info: I tested the 18-270 on the siding of the house next to mine. The small amount of distortion present at 18mm and 270mm was corrected with an adjustment of only "-1" in Lightroom. There was no distortion at 25 and 250mm.

I purchased 2 extra batteries expecting to need at least one extra during the 7 hours we would be at the Derby. Amazingly, the OEM battery lasted all day - no movies or flash used during the day.

Thanks for the info, that's good to know.

It's a nice camera of course. But they did skimp on some features. Unless you specifically want that size of camera, you'll get more bang for your buck going with a used or refurbished t5i, T4i, T3i, or T2i. They are all 18MP sensors and very similar. I still have a T2i and it's a very capable camera.